JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

While effective return-to-work (RTW) interventions are not widely available for individuals with common mental disorders on sick leave, there is potential for transforming such interventions into a digital solution in an effort to make them more widely available. Little is currently known about the viewpoints of different stakeholder groups that might increase the chances of successful development and implementation of a digital RTW intervention.

Objective:

To examine stakeholder perspectives on the role and legitimacy of a digital RTW solution for individuals with common mental disorders who are on sick leave.

Methods:

A purposeful snowball sampling method was utilized to recruit respondents. Semi-structured individual and focus group interviews were conducted that focused on stakeholder experiences, needs and preferences for digital RTW solutions for persons on sick leave due to common mental disorders. Content analysis generated themes and categories that constituted the main findings.

Results:

Interviews revealed that the legitimacy of a digital RTW solution was high among all stakeholder groups. Stakeholder positive outlooks toward such tools were mainly a product of the potential to empower service users during the RTW process. Barriers primarily involved legislation incompatibility with innovative technology, and RTW professional preconceptions regarding digital RTW solutions. Stakeholders stressed the importance of fostering a positive user experience with usability and emphasis on service user resources and strengths, as opposed to various limits and shortcomings. In order to facilitate RTW, stakeholders highlighted the need to clarify a back-to-work plan, accompanied by an accessible RTW network and strategies for handling stress and anxiety.

Conclusions:

Qualitative findings emphasize the importance of shifting power from healthcare professionals to service users. A digital solution has a role in mediating service user control over the RTW process, and thereby increase their empowerment. A digital RTW solution may facilitate circumvention of implementation barriers associated with introducing evidence-based RTW interventions in a traditional RTW context.